Senior Bowl impression

The 49ers used to be a huge presence at the Senior Bowl. Under Mike Nolan, they coached the game twice. But this year, none of the team’s coaches will be in Mobile, which has shocked at least one coach from another team. The 49ers might be the only team in the league not to send their coaches to the most prominent college all-star game in the land.

It tells you that the 49ers will be a scout-centered team. In the past, the 49ers were always coach-centered, with the scouts merely providing information to coaches who then made the decisions on draft day. A coach-centered team always seems best because coaches are more invested in the players they have a greater hand in drafting. Also, coaches can see how players fit their system best. That’s not to say that scout-centered teams can’t succeed.

Former Cowboys and Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson maintains the most important person on any NFL team is the talent evaluator. Also, scout-centered teams hopefully have more distachment than coaches on players. We will see how it works.

Here are some of how the top players fared at the first Senior Bowl practice in Mobil.

Quarterbacks – Colin Kaepernick of Nevada looked to be the most impressive. When the NFL network cameras were on him, he was accurate and looked to be making a seamless transition from the shotgun/pistol offense at Nevada to going under center. The 49ers believe he’s very raw and it will likely take him a season or two to become NFL-ready.

Jake Locker (Washington) – Didn’t show much accuracy, which is his biggest challenge. Locker is listed ahead of Kaepernick, but that might change if Locker doesn’t improve his accuracy.

Ricky Stanzi (Iowa) – He fell in between Kaepernick and Locker. Stanzi isn’t as mobile as the prior two, but he’s the one who’s most improved over his junior year. He threw 26 touchdowns and five interceptions, a vast upgrade from his prior work at Iowa.

Pass rushers-This group will be challenged this week because the North’s tackles are excellent. That being said, Cal’s Cameron Jordan and Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan looked quick off the ball. Jordan, at nearly 290 pounds could be a down linemen in the 3-4. Kerrigan played down at Purdue, but at 263 pounds, he might have to learn to play in a two-point stance.

Wide receivers – Mike Myock of NFL Network raved about Boise State’s Titus Young, saying he’s the next DeSean Jackson with his blinding speed and quickness. The other player who drew notice was San Diego State’s Vincent Brown. He has a lanky look at 6-0 195 pounds, and he snatches the ball out of the air.